Air conditioning apparatus



Feb. 9, 1937. .1. A. MARTOCELLO AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001;. 51, 1934 2 mwaz 5% 4 a 1 1 II V r J; A. MARTOCELLO AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Feb. 9, 1937.

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Feb. 9, 1937- J. A. MARTOCELLO AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Joseph A. Martocello, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application October 31, 1934, Serial No. 750,879

8 Claims.

My invention relates to air conditioning apparatus adapted for purifying the air, for varying the amount of humidity in the air, and for controlling the temperature of the air, for dwellings and other buildings.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for conditioning air, including a novel form of tank for containing water, and providing means within the tank for cooling the water by means of ice.

A further object is to provide an air cabinet for conditioning air by means of the water supplied from the tank, and provide a novel apparatus including a pump for circulating the water from the tank to the cabinet and returning the water to the tank to be again cooled.

A further object is to provide the tank with suitable pipe connections including a drain outlet, an overflow outlet, and a relief valve located between the pump and the air cabinet for relieving the apparatus from excess water pressure and for by-passing the water through the relief valve to the tank.

A further object is to construct the tank with novel means for circulating the water in a circuitous course through the tank for quickly varying the temperature of the water.

A further object is to construct a tank having novel means for insulating the walls of the tank, and for sealing the lid upon the body of the tank.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding of my invention and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of the construction and the. means for effecting the results, reference is made to the following specifica- 40 tion in which the invention is specifically described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my novel air conditioning apparatus, showing the tank in one room of a building and the air cabinet in another room of-the building.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view of the tank containing ice, and showing the pump and other adjuncts associated with the tank.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 2, partially in section.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts, l2 represents a tank for containing water. Said tank is constructed in a novel manner for retaining the water at a desired temperature by cooling the water by means of broken blocks of ice l3 inserted in the tank. The tank body comprises inner and outer tanks I1 and I8 formed of non-rust sheet metal. Each tank consists of bottom walls l9 and 20 and vertical side walls 2| and 22 between which is inserted cork 25, or other suitable insulating material.

Top members, or panels 26 are secured upon the walls 2| and 22 by flanges 29 and 30, and insulated from the inner walls 2| by insulating material 3|.

The top member 26 forms a horizontal surface upon. which is located a lid 32, also formed of upper and lower sheet metal walls 33 and 34, which are held in spaced relation by side walls 35 formed of sheet metal, as shown in Fig. 4. The lid also is fitted with cork or other insulating material 31. The lid is hinged to the tank body by hinges 38. Clamping devices 40, and a handle 4| are located on the opposite edge of the lid 25 relatively to the hinges. The lid and the top member 25, of the body of the tank, are sealed by means of a sponge rubber gasket 43, which serves as a non-conductor of heat. Said clamping devices are provided with operating handies I64 for clamping the lid upon the tank.

A horizontal ice supporting plate 46 is located within the inner tank I! and held in spaced relation with the bottom wall IQ of the inner tank by means of cleats ti and 48 preferably formed of wood. The cleat 41 extends centrally of the inner tank from one end wall of the tank and terminates adjacent to the opposite end wall of the tank, thus forming a passageway 50 for the water to circulate between the supporting plate and the bottom wall of the inner tank. Transverse cleats 48 are secured to the under side of the plate 46 by screws 49. Said cleats are arranged in spaced relation to each other upon the bottom wall of the inner tank and form zigzag passageway 5i, through which water is directed below the supporting plate 46, from an inlet opening 52 formed in said supporting plate, and around the bottom of the inner tank and through said zigzag passageways 50 and 5| to an outlet pipe 50 connection 53, as indicated by the arrows Fig. 10.

A screen 54 is located upon the bottom of the inner tank and occupies the entrance to the outlet pipe connection for preventing the passage of foreign particles with the water, as the water is 55 ing plate, except through the space or .inlet 62,

formed in said plate.

A pump 59 is provided for forcing the water from the outlet pipe connection to an air conditioning cabinet 66, hereinafter more fully described.

Said pump 69 is operated by an electric motor 6|, connected with the pump by a shaft 62. The pump and motor are side mounted upon a base 66 which in turn is secured to the vertical end wall ofthe tank I2. There is a pipe connection 65 between the outlet pipe connection 66 and the pump, and a pipe connection 66 from the pump to the cabinet 66. A relief valve 66 is connected by a pipe 69 with said pipe connection 66 from the pump to the cabinet. The relief valve 66 has a pipe connection 16 leading into the tank I2, whereby excess water from the pump will be relieved by the relief valve and returned to the tank.

An overflow pipe connection H is connected with the tank and with a drain pipe 12. Upon the inner end of the overflow pipe II is an extension nipple 16 located within the water compartment of the tank and said nipple is rotatably mounted upon the overflow pipe 1I, and extends at right angles to the length of the overflow pipe. By this arrangement the level of the water within the tank may be varied by setting the nipple at difierent radial positions relatively to the overflow pipe.

A shut-oil valve 16 is connected with the outlet pipe 66 for draining the tank. A lock 16 is provided for holding the valve 16 in the closed position.

The outlet connection 66 from the tank I2 is provided with a check valve 16. Said shut-off valve 15 located between the pipe connection 66 and the overflow connection 1I leading to the drain pipe 12. The shut-off valve 15 is operated by a handle 16 for opening and closing the valve 16. The latter is normally closed except when it is desired to drain the tank and then the valve may be readily opened by means of the handle. Said check valve 16 is provided for preventing water entering the tank through the outlet pipe 66.

The tank is provided with a water gauge glass 11 of the usual type, and having pipe connections with the tank at points above and below the desired water level.

The air conditioning cabinet 66 consists of a front wall 66, a back wall 6|, end walls 62 and a bottom wall 69. Said walls are covered with heat insulating material 66. There are partitions 66, 66 and 61 positioned vertically within the cabinet and extending from one end wall to the opposite end wall, and forming compartments 66, 69, 96 and 9|.

The cabinet has a fresh air inlet opening 99 consisting of an air duct 96 adapted to be placed at an open window 95. The duct 96 is provided with a grill 91, containing a screen 96. A damper 99 is also provided in the duct 66. The upper portion of the compartment 66 is closed by a top plate I66, which extends around the upper edges of the cabinet and is provided with a large outlet opening I M. A grill I69 occupies the opening I6I. Said grill is provided with deflecting plates I66, supported by horizontal bars I65. Dampers I66 are also provided upon the grill I66.

A V-shaped screen I61 is located in the compartment 66 for retaining all foreign particles which may pass through the screen 96.

The first partition 66 terminates in spaced relation with the bottom wall 66 and directs the air from the inlet opening 96 through the first compartment 66 to the bottom of the cabinet where the air is admitted to the second compartment 69 formed by the second partition 66 which is sealed at its lower edge to the bottom wall 69 and its upper edge terminates in spaced relation with a deflector plate I69, having one edge joined with the top of the cabinet and its other edge Joined with the top edge of a third partition 61.

The air is directed upwardly through the second compartment 69 and passes over the second partition 66 into the third compartment 96, through which latter it is directed downwardly to the lower edge of the third partition 61 which terminates in spaced relation with the bottom wall 66 and arranged for directing the air horizontally and then upwardly through the fourth compartment 9I, from which the air passes through the outlet opening I6I at the top of the cabinet into the room in which the cabinet is located or to other rooms through suitable duct connections, (not shown in the drawings) in a manner well known in the art.

Within the second compartment 69 of the cabinet is located a series of spray nozzles I I2 having a pipe connection II3 leading to the nozzles and connected with the service water supply pipe I" to the building. The nozzles II2 are located in the upper portion of the second compartment through which the air passes upwardly from the bottom of the cabinet toward the nozzles. The water from said nozzles is sprayed against the first partition 65 and thereby forms means for pre-cooling the air as it first enters the cabinet through said first compartment 66.

A second series of spray nozzles H5 is located in the upper portion of the third compartment 96 adjacent to the air passageway located above the upper edge of the second partition 66, whereby the second series of spray nozzles H6 will subject the air to a spray of water as the air passes downwardly through the third compartment.

A pipe coil II6 having radiating fins H9 is located in the fourth compartment 9I and is connected by means of said pipe connection 66 with the pump 69, whereby water supplied by the pump is circulated through the coil III! and then through a pipe connection I26, which in turn is connected with a pipe connection I2I leading to the second series of nozzles II6. A return pipe I22 is connected with the outlet pipe I26 from the upper portion of the pipe coil H6, and is provided with a valve I26, which may be opened for allowing the water to return from the pipe coil through the pipe connections I22, I21 and 16 to the tank I2.

The pipe connections between the coil H6 and the second series of nozzles II 6 are also provided with valves I 26 and I26 arranged for controlling or shutting oil the water leading to the nozzles II5, when it is desired to return a portion or all the water from the coil directly to the tank by regulating said valves.

The cabinet 60 is provided with a return drain outlet trap I26 having a return pipe connection I21 leading to the inlet pipe 10 communicating with the tank, whereby they spray water from the second series of nozzles II5 will be returned to the tank.

The cabinet is also provided with a drain out-- let trap I28 located in the lower portion of the second compartment 89 through which the water from the first series of nozzles I I 2 may be directed through a pipe I30 leading to the drain pipe 12.

The partition 86 is provided with a float concontrolled overflow valve I29, which will open in the event that the outlet I26- should become clogged, thus allowing the water to pass through the valve I29 and be discharged through the outlet I28 to the drain pipe I2. Said valve I29 is normally closed.

The cabinet is provided with main air openings I3I and auxiliary air openings I32 and I33 for admitting any desired quantity of air into the cabinet from the room in which the cabinet is located.

The end walls are provided with frames I35 surrounding the main openings I3 I. Said frames are provided with dampers I36 and screens I38.

The auxiliary air inlet openings or registers I32 and I33 are located upon the front wall of the cabinet for admitting air to the fourth compartment 9|. Said inlets are provided with dampers I40 and MI hinged upon the frames of the registers. Said dampers are arranged to be moved for opening and closing said auxiliary air inlets. One of the auxiliary inlets I 32 is located below the pipe coil II8 for admitting air to the lower portion of the fourth compartment 9I so that air from the room in which the cabinet is located may be drawn into the fourth compartment and passed around the coils. The other auxiliary air inlet opening I33 is located above the pipe coil and is arranged for admitting a limited quantity of air into the cabinet from the room, for reducing, or controlling, the amount of the treated air.

A suction and pressure blower I43 is located in the fourth compartment 9| of the cabinet, and is operated by any suitable means such as an electric motor, (not shown in the drawings). A horizontal plate I4fi on which the blower is mounted is provided with an opening through which air is drawn by the action of the blower through all the compartments of the cabinet.

A moisture eliminator I46, in the form of screens M1, is located in the passageway adjacent to the bottom wall of the cabinet and below the lower edge of the third partition 87. The screens I4! collect and remove, from the air, excess moisture which has been supplied to the air by means of the spray nozzles. Said screens also provide for the final elimination of impurities from the air.

A strainer I48 and valve I49 are connected in the return pipe I21 and provide means for removing foreign particles from the water before it is returned to the tank. The service water supply pipe H4 isprovided with a valve I50 for controlling the flow of water to the nozzles H2.

The air from the blower I43 may be circulated within the cabinet when it is desired to reduce the quantity of air being discharged from the cabinet. The deflector plate I09 is provided with a door I5I, which may be opened by a chain I52 and wheel I53. for allowing the air to pass from the blower compartment 9! into the spray nozzle compartment 90 and recirculated within the cabinet. When the wheel I53 is rotated the chain I52 will also release the dampers I06 so that they may move toward the closed position. The wheel I53 is secured upon a shaft I 54 extending beyond the end of the cabinet. For normal operation the shaft is turned to a position to open the dampers I06, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 1, and simultaneously close the door I 5I upon the deflector plate I09.

The water from the spray nozzles II5 passes through the trap I 26 and through the return pipe connections I21 and I0 to the tank.

The spray nozzles I I2 which are connected with the service water supply pipe II 4 may be employed for cleaning and purifying the air.

The operation of my invention as an air cooling and conditioning apparatus consists of charging the tank I2 with ice. The melted ice water, or other water, is maintained within the tank up to the water level of the adjustable nipple I3 on the overflow pipe. The cold water in the tank circulates in a zigzag passageway between the plate 46 and the bottom of the inner receptacle of the tank. The ice water is drawn through the screen 54 located at the bottom of the tank, and is forced by the pump to the coil II8 located in the cabinet. The water after circulating through the coil passes to the second series of spray nozzles II5 located in the third compartment 90.

The blower I43 located in the fourth compartment of the cabinet, draws air through the fresh air inlet 93 and through the screen I01 into the first compartment 88 where the air is pro-cooled by the water at its natural temperature from the service water supply pipe connected with the spray nozzles H2. The spray from the nozzles I I2 cools the first partition and thereby cools the air as it is drawn downwardly through the first compartment 88. The supply water may be from the city service supply pipe H4 or from a well or any other source for supplying water at a I lower temperature than the air that is drawn into the cabinet from without the building. The air is thus precooled as it passes through the first compartment. The air then passes upwardly through the second compartment 89, where it is subjected to the spray of cool water from the first series of nozzles II2 for further cooling the air and also for washing the air. for removing dust and other foreign particles. The air is then drawn into the third compartment in which the second series of nozzles I I5 are located and said second nozzles spray ice water into the air for further cooling the air.

Air from the room in which the cabinet is 10- cated is admitted to the second compartment 89 of the cabinet through the main air inlet openings I3I, for re-cooling and washing the air so admitted from the room. The amount of air admitted through said main inlet openings is controlled by the dampers I36.

From the third compartment 90 the air, and the entrained moisture. are drawn through the moisture eliminators I46 for removing the excess moisture from the air. I The air is drawn into the fourth compartment 9| and into contact with the surfaces of the pipe coils H8. Said coils are provided with fins arranged in close parallel relation to each other so that the air passing upwardly through the fourth compartment will pass in contact with the fins and with the pipe coils for further cooling, and also for drying the air due to the ice water which is being circulated through the coils.

The registers located at the auxiliary air inlet openings I32 and I in the front of the cabinet provide means for tempering the air by reducing the amount of air drawn from the outside atmosphere and admitting air from the room in which the cabinet is located. By this arrangement large variations in the condition and temperature of the air may be obtained.

The ice water after it passes through the pipe coil and the spray nozzles is returned through the pipe connections to the tank where it is again cooled by coming in contact with the ice and recirculated from the inlet pipe of the tank to the outlet pipe, which is located in a diflerent portion of the tank relatively to the inlet pipe, so that the water in passing through the tank must pass through the zigzag course formed by the cleats which support the plate 46 on which the ice is supported.

I claim:-

1. A tank for containing water, a lid detachably sealed upon the tank, a horizontal plate located within the tank, said plate having a hole formed through the same for the passage of water, cleats supporting said plates in spaced relation with the bottom of the tank, said cleats arranged in staggered relation to each other and forming a zigzag water course below said plate, and pipes connected with said tank above and below said plate.

2. A tank for containing water, a lid detachably sealed upon the tank, a plate positioned horizontally within the tank, said plate having a hole formed through the same and located at one end portion of the tank, a cleat positioned between the bottom of the tank and said plate, said cleat terminating in spaced relation with the end of the tank opposite to said hole formed in the plate, transverse cleats arranged at opposite sides of the first mentioned cleat, said transverse cleats arranged in staggered relation to each other and forming a zigzag water course below said horizontal plate, and pipes connected with the tank above and below said horizontal plate.

3. A tank, a lid detachably sealed upon the tank, a horizontal plate for supporting ice within the tank, cleats supporting said plate in spaced relation with the bottom the tank, an outlet pipe connected with said tank and located below said plate, said cleats forming channels through which water is directed in a zigzag course below said plate as the water passes toward said outlet pipe, and a return pipe connected with said tank.

4. A tank, a lid, means for detachably sealing the lid upon the tank, a horizontal plate for supporting ice within the tank, said plate positioned in spaced relation with the bottom of the tank, cleats forming vertical partitions between the bottom of the tank and said plate, said cleats each having a passageway formed at one end thereof for the circulation of water in a zigzag course below said plate, an outlet pipe connected with said tank below said plate, said plate having an opening formed therein located at the opposite end of said zigzag course relatively to said outlet pipe, and a return pipe connected with the tank above said plate.

5. A tank, an ice supporting plate within the .having an opening formed therein and located at the opposite end 01' said water course relatively to the outlet pipe, a screen occupying the entrance to the outlet pipe, said plate having an opening formed therein and located above said screen,

and a panel movably mounted upon said plateand arranged for opening and closing the opening located in the plate above the screen.

6. An ice melting tank entirely sealed, a horizontal plate for supporting ice within the tank, said plate positioned in spaced relation with the bottom of the tank, cleats forming vertical partitions between the bottom oi! the tank and said plate, said cleats each having a passageway formed at one end thereof for the circulation of water in a zigzag course below said plate, an outlet pipe connection with said tank, said plate having an opening formed therein located at the opposite end of said zigmg course relatively to said outlet pipe, a pump, a pipe connection between the pump and said outlet pipe, a pipe coil, a pipe connection between the pump and said coil, and a return pipe connection from the coil to said tank.

7. A tank, an ice supporting plate within the tank, cleats supporting said plate in spaced relation to the bottom oi the tank, said cleats arranged to form a zigzag water course below said plate, a lid upon the tank, said plate having an inlet opening located adjacent to one end of said water course, an outlet pipe connected with the tank and located adjacent to the opposite end of said water course, a pump connected with said outlet pipe, a fin-type pipe coil, a pipe connection between the pump and said coil, a series of spray nozzles, a pipe connection between said coil and said nozzles, a shut-off valve in the last mentioned pipe connection, a return drain pipe connection between said coil and said tank, a pipe connection between said nozzles and said return pipe connection, a shut-oi! valve in the pipe connection between the coil and said return pipe connection, a relief valve, a pipe connection between the reliei valve and the pump, a pipe connection between the relief valve and the tank, a drain pipe, and an overflow pipe connection between the tank and the drain pipe.

8. A tank for containing water, means within the tank for varying the temperature of the water, inlet and outlet pipes connected with the tank, means within the tank for directing the water through a circuitous course toward the outlet pipes, a pump, a pipe connection with said outlet pipe, a drain pipe connected with said outlet pipe from the tank, a shut-oi! valve connected with said outlet pipe, said valve located between said connection with the pump and the drain pipe and arranged for draining the tank by opening the valve, and means associated with the valve for locking the valve in the closed position.

JOSEPH A. MARTOCEL'LO. 

